Latest news with #IrishPharmacyUnion
Irish Post
7 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Post
Ireland prepares for an official heatwave as Europe swelters
EUROPE is in the grip of a relentless summer heatwave, with Ireland on the brink of declaring its first official heatwave of the year, while vast regions of the continent battle raging wildfires, evacuations and deadly temperatures. In Northern Ireland, thermometers climbed to 25.2°C in County Fermanagh on Monday, kicking off what could become the region's third heatwave this year. According to the British Met Office, a heatwave is declared when temperatures reach 25°C or above for at least three consecutive days. This marks a sharp departure from the seasonal average maximum of 18°C for August. The Republic of Ireland is also facing high temperatures. Met Éireann forecasts temperatures approaching 30°C in parts of the Midlands. While no county has yet experienced the five consecutive days above 25°C required for an official heatwave declaration, forecasters believe that threshold is likely to be met this week. Coastal areas, though slightly cooler, are still expected to reach the low 20s. The rising heat has prompted health and safety warnings across Ireland. The Irish Pharmacy Union has urged the public to wear sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer, which remains the most common form of cancer in the country. The Road Safety Authority is also warning drivers to stay alert, advising the use of sunglasses to combat sun glare, ensuring windscreen cleanliness, and staying hydrated while travelling. According to the RSA, summer is statistically the most dangerous time on Irish roads, as drivers may drop their guard during seemingly perfect driving conditions. The intensifying heat in Ireland comes as southern and central Europe face far more dangerous conditions. In Spain, nearly 6,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires rage through multiple regions. In the Madrid suburb of Tres Cantos, a man caught in a blaze died after suffering burns over 98% of his body, and high winds of over 70 km/h and dry storm conditions created what officials described as 'explosive' fire behaviour. In Tarifa, southern Spain, 2,000 more people fled their homes as firefighting aircraft and crews worked around the clock to contain blazes. The Spanish government has declared a pre-emergency phase to coordinate emergency resources, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging citizens to take the threat of wildfires seriously. Portugal is also battling several large fires. Morocco has sent firefighting aircraft to assist after two Portuguese planes malfunctioned. In Italy, where Florence is forecast to hit 40°C, a four-year-old boy died of heatstroke after being left in a car in Sardinia. The country has issued red alert warnings for seven major cities. In Albania, over 30,000 hectares have been scorched since July, with over 20 arrests linked to deliberate arson. Hundreds of firefighters and troops have brought most fires under control, but dozens still burn. In Montenegro, fire crews narrowly saved homes outside the capital, while in Croatia, firefighters battled to protect communities near Split overnight. Authorities continue to urge caution and preparedness as the summer heat shows no signs of easing. See More: Europe, Ireland Heatwave, Met Eireann, UK Met Office
RTÉ News
11-08-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
14% increase in seizures of illegal and counterfeit medicines
Clip • 4 Mins • 11 AUG • Morning Ireland Tom Murray, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, discusses the rising use of illegal medicines.
RTÉ News
11-08-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
People urged not to buy medicines from unverified websites
The public should not buy medicines from unverified websites, the Irish Pharmacy Union has warned. The IPU said purchasing counterfeit medicine could pose serious risks to a person's health. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, President of the IPU Tom Murray said any medicine being sold from an unverified source should be of "particular concern" because a person does not know what is in the medicine. He added that some "drugs can contain nothing" and others can contain toxic ingredients. Mr Murray said that the most popular counterfeit drugs are Botox and weight loss or diabetes treatments, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. He said that there were over 1,700 units of Botox seized last year by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. He also warned that unverified websites could be offering incorrect information or advice. Mr Murray said that Ireland has a highly regulated supply system which "guarantees the efficiency and safety of medicines". He added that the only place to buy medicine safely is through pharmacies. The HPRA found
The Journal
10-08-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Trans women facing confusion over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme
THE ELIGIBILITY OF transgender women under the free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) scheme has sparked significant confusion among pharmacies. The Journal has spoken to several trans women about their experiences with the scheme. They report inconsistent approaches from pharmacies, with some trans women granted free HRT under the scheme, while others are denied. The Irish Pharmacy Union has confirmed to The Journal that they are seeking clarity on the issue from the Department of Health. A spokesperson for the organisation has said that 'there has been some confusion in practice as to the eligibility of certain prescriptions'. This is because some HRT medications, which are used to relieve symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause, can also be prescribed to transgender people as part of gender-affirming healthcare. For those who have had an orchiectomy, HRT can be the sole source of their hormones, making it incredibly important to their ability to function normally. The legislation which gave power to the free HRT scheme does not specifically exclude transgender women from the scheme. Instead, it states that 'women who are ordinarily resident in the State and have been prescribed menopause products by a registered medical practitioner…and who are supplied with the menopause products from a pharmacy provider shall not be charged.' Adding to the confusion, the Minister of Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was asked in March by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy whether trans women would be eligible under the scheme. But the Minister did not provide a clear answer, instead stating that the scheme covers HRT products 'which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause'. A spokesperson for the Department of Health echoed this statement when asked by The Journal . But many in the trans community argue that some of them do experience the same menopausal symptoms as other women if they stop taking HRT. They also argue that, as they have prescriptions for the same medicines as on the prescribed list, they should be entitled to access free HRT under the scheme. 'We are used to fighting for everything' The lack of clarity on the situation is leading to inconsistencies among pharmacies in their approach to transgender women seeking HRT under the scheme. The Journal has heard from several transgender people about their experiences with pharmacists. Niamh*, a trans woman living in Dublin, was denied free HRT under the scheme in June and again in July. She told The Journal that as she is post-orchiectomy, she should be covered under medically induced menopause – something that is specifically outlined in the legislation. Advertisement But when she asked the pharmacy if she was covered, she was told that because the products weren't being used to treat menopause, the pharmacy wouldn't be reimbursed. 'Going off HRT would literally be dangerous for me,' Niamh said. She added that while she can afford to pay for it, others can't, which is why the scheme was introduced in the first place. Confusingly, another trans woman who spoke to The Journal said that she has been able to access her prescription for free under the scheme from the very same pharmacy. Caoimhe, a trans woman from Cork, also told The Journal that she has also been forced to pay for HRT like before since the rollout of the scheme. Like others we spoke to, this HRT is 'medically necessary' in her case. But when she asked if she would be covered under the scheme, her pharmacy was unsure and didn't seem to have a clear answer. 'Without trying to be too critical of them, they were signed up to the scheme, but they didn't seem to have the clarity as to whether I was eligible or not,' she said. Caoimhe said that having to ask to even be considered under the scheme is 'utterly exhausting'. 'We are used to fighting for everything', she continued, 'this is what we're used to, and it's disappointing.' 'Unclear guidance from the Department of Health is creating unnecessary confusion and placing barriers in the way of equitable care,' a spokesperson for the Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland told The Journal . They added that pharmacists are 'ready and willing' to provide free HRT to trans women under the scheme, but 'they need confirmation from the Department of Health that trans people are included in the scheme.' They called on the Department to address the confusion, adding that 'trans people should be included without ambiguity'. A spokesperson for the Department told The Journal that 'there are no plans to expand the eligibility of this measure at this point.' The HSE also referred to the Department of Health for comment. *Name has been changed — Conor O'Carroll is an investigative reporter with The Journal Investigates . Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help: Support The Journal Investigates Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
BreakingNews.ie
14-07-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
People turning to pharmacists for medical advice due to GP delays, research shows
More people are turning to their local pharmacist for medical advice as they struggle to get a doctor's appointment. Research by the Irish Pharmacy Union also shows nine in 10 think pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe medication for minor illnesses, such as back pain and migraines. Advertisement The survey of 2,000 people found nearly four-in-five are now waiting longer to get an appointment with their GP. Meanwhile, figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show there are 364 patients on trolleys on Monday morning. 226 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 138 are in wards elsewhere in hospitals. The hospital with the highest number of patients without a bed is University Hospital Limerick, with 83 people waiting for a bed.
